Preface............................................................................................................................................i

Part 1: The Era of Carbon Neutrality and the Role of Businesses.........................................1

Part 2 Understanding Business Models and the Green Transition.............................................9

Part 3 Business Model Analysis Tool...........................................................................17

Part 4: Case Study of Eco-Friendly Business Models..................................................... 25
Chapter 1 Eco-friendly innovation in everyday life..................................................27
Aroundblue
A company developing eco-friendly plastic alternatives using biomass.........
27
Code of Nature
Realizing a sustainable forest ecosystem through nature-based restoration technology.............
34
Remedi
Realizing emotional circular consumption through upcycled pet supplies...
41
Acoplanning
Sustainable material innovation realized with recycled leather.................................
47
Milepost
Transforming Your Diet to a Healthy One with Hemp-Based Alternatives.................
53
Chapter 2 Future Cities and Smart Environments...........................................................59
Ecube Labs
Realizing Sustainable Cities through Smart Waste Management.............................
59
Tecoplus
Innovation in eco-friendly consumption through biodegradable functional materials.................................
66
KCMT
A new resource recycling material company that turns waste plastic bottles into steel bars...................
72
Donggubat
A solid lifestyle product brand that considers both employment and the environment for people with developmental disabilities...
78
Chapter 3 Sustainable Energy and Technology..................................................85
Ion Earth
Low-carbon energy solutions based on waste batteries.................................................
85
Sixty hertz
IT company based on renewable energy power generation prediction.............................................
92
Who's Good, a sustainable development center
Supporting Investment Decisions through AI-Based ESG Risk Analysis...............100
Greenery
ESG Practice Platform through Voluntary Carbon Reduction Trading.........................106
FCMT
Leading the way in hydrogen fuel cell-based decarbonized mobility solutions
Energy Technology Companies...........................................................................112
Chapter 4: Food and Agriculture to Save the Earth..................................................121
EgreenGlobal
Sustainable Seed Potato Technology Innovation in the Climate Crisis Era...........................121
Foodie Worm
A company that realizes a circular economy through insect smart farms.............................128
Draw
Biofuel Resource Platform Based on Waste Cooking Oil..................................135
Pyeoda
Reducing carbon emissions in everyday life through a sharing economy-based umbrella circulation system...141
Plajen
Realizing Clean Energy Resources through Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Technology..........147
Nutriindustry
Innovation in the insect-based protein industry through food resource recycling...............154
Alfred
Innovation in Pet Supplies Through Coffee Ground Recycling..................................161
Village lunch box (Yirak)
An eco-friendly lunchbox platform connecting communities and the circular economy...................167
LaSemilla
A Food Crop Genetic Innovation Platform to Address the Climate Crisis...................173
Ceslprimus
Through AI-based urban smart vertical farming solutions
Realizing urban food independence and carbon reduction..................................................179
Organica
Chapter 4: Food and Agriculture to Save the Earth..................................................121
EgreenGlobal
Sustainable Seed Potato Technology Innovation in the Climate Crisis Era...........................121
Foodie Worm
A company that realizes a circular economy through insect smart farms.............................128
Draw
Biofuel Resource Platform Based on Waste Cooking Oil..................................135
Pyeoda
Reducing carbon emissions in everyday life through a sharing economy-based umbrella circulation system...141
Plajen
Realizing Clean Energy Resources through Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Technology..........147
Nutriindustry
Innovation in the insect-based protein industry through food resource recycling...............154
Alfred
Innovation in Pet Supplies Through Coffee Ground Recycling..................................161
Village lunch box (Yirak)
An eco-friendly lunchbox platform connecting communities and the circular economy...................167
LaSemilla
A Food Crop Genetic Innovation Platform to Address the Climate Crisis...................173
Ceslprimus
Through AI-based urban smart vertical farming solutions
Realizing urban food independence and carbon reduction..................................................179
Organica
A sustainable food company leading the way in unheated juices and plant-based convenience foods...
186
Chapter 5 Innovative Eco-Friendly Solutions...........................................................195
BioRestec
Achieving Carbon-Neutral Energy Through Food Waste Fueling..................195
Startech
Eco-friendly resource solution based on starfish.............................................201
Decant
Creating a sustainable consumption culture through wine byproduct upcycling..........207
Mycel
Circular Design of Industry with Mycelium-Based Biomaterials............................... 214
AESTech
Energy Innovation Through Anhydrous Ammonia-Based Hydrogen Production Technology...........220
Eucnc
Achieving a Sustainable Building Environment with Energy-Saving Special Paints..........227
The Day One Lab
Solving the plastic problem with naturally decomposable biomaterials
ESG Leading Companies...........................................................................................233
CleanEarthtech
Improving urban air quality through fine dust reduction technology....................240
Chapter 6 Sustainable Companies Leading the Future..................................247
Equaltable
Achieving a Sustainable Consumption Culture through a Carbon-Reduced Coffee System..........247
Sustainable Lab
Transforming the Travel Industry to ESG through Eco-Friendly Amenities..................................254
Ballys
Realizing a pet food brand using upcycled raw materials..............260

Kosco Paper
The Future of Paper Packaging: Transforming Its Eco-Friendly Water-Soluble Coating Technology..............266
Pitch by Pitch
Spreading Sustainable Lifestyles Through Travel..................................272
GreenGoods
Solving Rural Poverty through Subscription-Based Poultry Services..................................278
GongGammanse
A Fair Travel Platform Through Innovation in Local Donation Culture......................284
Updream Korea
Creating a healthy menstrual environment through sanitary pad donations..................................291
Chapter 7 Recycling and the Circular Economy..................................................299
Recl
Realizing a Circular Economy through Premium Clothing Resale..................................299
Allsu
A real-time circular economy connecting waste cooking oil collection and biorecycling....306
Mintit
A Circular Digital Ecosystem Created by Recycling Used Phones.......313
Inobus
Achieving Carbon Neutrality in Everyday Life with AI Resource Collection Robots..................................320
Oysterable
AIoT-based resource circulation platform company.................................................... 326

Part 5 Conclusion and Future Prospects..................................................................335
References...........................................................................................................................341

introduction

The biggest challenge facing businesses today is how to transform carbon neutrality into a business opportunity. ESG management and carbon emissions trading are no longer optional but essential, transcending mere regulations to become key drivers for creating new markets and revenue models.

We often get asked this question in the field.
"What business models will survive in the carbon-neutral era?"
“How can we move beyond regulatory responses and transform them into growth opportunities?”

This book provides practical answers to that very question.
The authors have researched and implemented the development of an emissions pricing model, an upcycling business utilizing eco-friendly raw materials, and a management strategy that integrates data and artificial intelligence.
The case studies and modeling methodologies contained in this book are not mere theories; they are frameworks that can be immediately applied in the field.

Especially for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises, carbon neutrality can be an opportunity for differentiation, not a crisis.
New regulations and systems are not barriers to entry for start-ups, but rather signals that they can move faster than established large companies in the market.
Carbon reduction technologies, eco-friendly materials, and data-driven solutions can all serve as starting points for business model innovation.

Through this book, we aim to provide practical strategies and an implementation roadmap to managers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners preparing for the future.
Some of the companies and brands covered in this book may no longer exist.
However, we included these cases because we believe they are meaningful resources that can be used as a reference for creating new value and exploring future strategies based on past experiences and lessons learned.
Additionally, we ask for the readers' understanding in advance as there may be some differences in the information conveyed due to the difference between the time of manuscript writing and publication.
I hope that this book will help readers create new growth opportunities and competitive advantages within the massive trend of carbon neutrality.

This book could not have been brought into the world by the authors alone.
This was possible thanks to the help and encouragement of many people who helped me find my way through my research and business endeavors.
Above all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the staff at Park Young-sa who sympathized with the value of this book and paved the way for its publication.
I also extend my special thanks to my advisor, Professor Kim Young-geol, who personally demonstrated that theory and practice can become one.
When I declared my intention to pursue entrepreneurship during my PhD, I was grateful to my professor for his unwavering support and encouragement. Thanks to this, I am now able to pursue both the paths of a professor and an entrepreneur.

I also extend my sincere gratitude to my two students, Kwak Dan-bi and Jang Min-ju, who worked with me on the writing of this book.
I was able to complete this book thanks to your help, staying up all night to work on the manuscript despite your busy schedules at work.
I hope this experience will be a great driving force in your life and a boost to your confidence.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my loving family and close colleagues who understood my writing process and silently supported me.
Without your support and consideration, I would not have been able to complete it.

September 2025
On behalf of the authors
Kim Hyung-jin